Tree trunk having illuminated connectable trunk sections with light source disposed

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to illuminated artificial trees constructed by interconnecting more than one artificial tree trunk section based on electrically connecting and rotationally coupling each tree trunk section to at least one other tree trunk section, each tree trunk section having an emitter of light visible externally to the tree trunk section and optically coupled to a light source within the tree trunk section, and each light source operably coupled to an external controller and power supply. In an illustrative example, each tree trunk section may have a light source optically connected by limited-length optical fiber to a light emitter within the tree trunk section. The light source may be a multi-color LED. The light source may be powered through rotatable male and female connectors mated between tree trunk section ends. Various examples may advantageously provide a consistently bright and tall tree with reduced energy consumption.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lighted tree, comprising:
 at least one trunk section configured with a connector disposed on at least a first end of the trunk section and adapted to electrically connect and rotationally couple the first end of the trunk section to an adjacent section of the lighted tree; 
 a light source retained within an interior portion of the trunk section and electrically connected to the connector, wherein the interior portion is defined by a wall that forms the trunk section; and 
 a light transmitting element having a first end optically coupled to the light source and a second end external to the tree trunk section that emits light, wherein the light transmitting element exits the interior portion of the trunk section through an opening formed in the wall of trunk section. 
 
     
     
       2. The lighted tree of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of branch segments extending from at least one trunk section, wherein one or more of the branch segments are adapted to receive and support the second end of the light transmitting element after the second end of the light transmitting element exits the trunk section. 
     
     
       3. The lighted tree of  claim 1 , further comprising a base section adapted to electronically connect and rotationally couple with a lowermost trunk section, wherein the base section is a stand configured to support the lighted tree. 
     
     
       4. The lighted tree of  claim 3 , in which the base section further comprises a motor adapted to rotate the lighted tree. 
     
     
       5. The lighted tree of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control that is configured to provide a signal to the control unit for the selection or programing of a light activation sequence. 
     
     
       6. A lighted tree, comprising:
 at least one trunk section configured with a connector disposed on at least one end of the trunk section and adapted to electrically connect and rotationally couple the end of the trunk section to an adjacent section of the lighted tree; 
 a light source retained within an interior portion of the trunk section and electrically connected to the connector, wherein the interior portion is defined by a wall that forms the trunk section; 
 a light transmitting element having a first end optically coupled to the light source and a second end external to the tree trunk section that emits light, wherein the light transmitting element exits the interior portion of the trunk section through an opening formed in the wall of trunk section; 
 a plurality of branch segments extending from one or more of the trunk sections, wherein one or more of the branch segments are adapted to receive and support the second end of the light transmitting element after the second end of the light transmitting element exits the trunk section; and 
 a base section adapted to electronically connect and rotationally couple with a lowermost trunk section, wherein the base section is a stand configured to support the lighted tree. 
 
     
     
       7. The lighted tree of  claim 6 , wherein the trunk section is a tree top section with the connector at only a bottom end of the tree top section and connecting to the lighted tree as a topmost of the tree sections. 
     
     
       8. The lighted tree of  claim 6 , further comprising a light source retained within an interior portion of the base section and electrically connected to the connector, and a light transmitting element having a first end optically coupled to the light source and a second end external to the base section that emits light. 
     
     
       9. The lighted tree of  claim 6 , in which the lighted tree further comprises a controller, the controller comprising:
 an electrical interface electrically connected to at least one connector in at least one trunk section and adapted to control a light source; 
 an input/output system adapted to receive input and send output; 
 a processor operably coupled to the electrical interface and the input/output system; and 
 a memory that is not a transitory propagating signal, the memory connected to the processor and encoding computer readable instructions, including processor executable program instructions, the computer readable instructions accessible to the processor, wherein the processor executable program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising; 
 receiving, from the input system, a light activation sequence; 
 storing, in the memory, the light activation sequence; and 
 activating, through the electrical interface, at least one light source based on the light activation sequence. 
 
     
     
       10. The lighted tree of  claim 9 , in which the controller further comprises an input/output system communicatively coupled to a user-controlled remote control providing the user the capability of programming a light activation sequence in the controller. 
     
     
       11. The lighted tree of  claim 9 , in which the light source is a multi-LED bulb, the multi-LED bulb produces multiple colors of light, the light source further comprises a plurality of reflectors optically coupling at least one color of light from a multi-LED bulb to a light transmitting element, and the controller is adapted to selectively activate individual colors of light in the light source.